This is an archive article published on April 21, 2023
Citing Satya Pal Malik’s Pulwama remark, Sharad Pawar targets Centre: ‘Death of jawans hasn’t been probed yet’
Speaking about the acquittal of those accused in the Naroda Gam massacre case, the NCP chief said that the verdict was the murder of Constitution in the country.
NCP chief Sharad Pawar announced he was stepping down on Tuesday. (File Photo)
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Citing Satya Pal Malik’s Pulwama remark, Sharad Pawar targets Centre: ‘Death of jawans hasn’t been probed yet’
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Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar waded into the row surrounding former Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik’s remarks on the Pulwama attack, saying that no inquiry was held into the death of the 40 CRPF jawans despite lapses being flagged.
“Satya Pal Malik placed certain things in front of the country about the Pulwama attack. No inquiry has been held to date about the death of the 40 CRPF jawans. The former Governor said that a plane was sought for transportation by the jawans but it was not provided to them. As such, they had to travel by road which is dangerous,” Pawar said while addressing a study workshop organised by the party’s Mumbai unit for its workers.
He added: “They were attacked by the terrorists and they paid the price in the form of their lives. The death of the jawans who protect our country has not even been probed. It is clear that the Central government, which has the responsibility to protect our country, has not taken the right steps.”
“Gujarat faced communal riots a few years back. The ruling party (BJP) was behind those riots. Members from the minority community were killed. Many were arrested and one of the woman accused was a legislator. Now, the court has acquitted them. So, who killed all of those people? It is not only the murder of those who died but also the murder of the country’s law and order and the Constitution. Those who are in power are using it for all of this,” he said.
The NCP chief also hit out at the Central government for misusing the investigation agencies to target Opposition leaders. Citing the example of Anil Deshmukh, Nawab Malik, Sanjay Raut and Eknath Khadse, he said: “The country’s politics has taken a wrong turn with the ruling side misusing power and taking action against the Opposition… This is the period of struggle and we must fight against such tendencies. We must fight this battle irrespective of the cost we will have to pay,.”
Pawar’s recent stand over various issues has left the Opposition confused about the NCP’s alliance. This came following the NCP chief’s comments regarding the Adani-Hindenburg issue. On Thursday, Adani had even travelled to Mumbai to meet Pawar at his residence.
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Earlier, while addressing party workers, the NCP chief slammed the Maharashtra government over the death of the people at Kharghar due to heatstroke. “The Maharashtra Bhushan programme is organised by the state government. This means that the responsibility of the safety of those attending rests on them. If the state government cannot take precautions for the safety of the common people, it just shows that they were treating the event as a show of their strength ahead of the upcoming polls,” he added.
Pawar added that the official appointed to probe the deaths could be the honest one, but ultimately, he was a government officer and therefore the reality will never come to the fore. “Therefore, a sitting high court judge should be appointed to bring truth forward,” he added.
Alok Deshpande is a Special Correspondent with The Indian Express' Mumbai bureau, recognized for his focused and authoritative reporting on governance, politics, and the socio-economic dynamics of Maharashtra's hinterlands. His unique academic background in Geology and early work in the water sector provides a specialized layer of Expertise to his reporting on resource and environmental issues.
Expertise
Current Role: Special Correspondent, The Indian Express, Mumbai.
Core Authority: Alok provides detailed coverage of Maharashtra politics and governance, with a particular emphasis on how policies and power struggles affect the rural and semi-urban areas (the 'hinterlands').
Key Coverage Areas: His reports frequently focus on high-stakes administrative and political topics, including:
State Assembly Proceedings: In-depth reporting on the Legislative Assembly, covering ministerial statements, legislative debates, and inter-party conflict within the ruling Mahayuti alliance.
Policy & Finance: Coverage of state finances, including supplementary budget demands, fiscal deficits, and major government schemes (e.g., Jal Jeevan Mission, Ladki Bahin Yojana).
Rural and Social Issues: Reports on critical health issues (e.g., child deaths in districts), human-animal conflict (leopard attacks, stray dogs), and agrarian concerns (e.g., farmer suicides).
Local and Urban Governance: Covers major announcements regarding urban development (e.g., BMC's OC amnesty scheme, pagdi system push) and local body elections, including political defections and alliance splits.
Unique Credentials & Trustworthiness
Academic Specialization: Holds a Post-graduate degree in Geology. This background gives him a foundational understanding of natural resources, which directly informs his reporting on environment, water, and infrastructure projects.
Early Professional Experience: His shift to journalism came after working with an NGO focused on the water sector. This practical experience strengthens his Expertise in critical areas like water management and rural development, as evidenced by his reporting on the Jal Jeevan Mission.
Journalism Training: An alumnus of the prestigious Asian College of Journalism (ACJ), Chennai, confirming his formal training and commitment to rigorous journalistic standards.
Alok Deshpande's rare combination of scientific education, non-profit sector experience, and deep political reporting makes him a highly trusted and authoritative voice on the governance and ground realities of Maharashtra.
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